Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Chauncey Billups had a solid all-around effort, ending with 14 points, 10 assists and five rebounds as Denver cruised to a 121-96 victory over the New Jersey Nets.
Nene chipped in 19 points and eight boards for the Northwest Division-leading Nuggets, who finished with a 3-1 record on their four-game homestand.
J.R. Smith contributed to the balanced scoring attack with 19 points, while Carmelo Anthony and Dahntay Jones each added 15 points for Denver, which avenged an embarrassing 114-70 drubbing in New Jersey earlier this season.
Vince Carter carried the Nets with 32 points on 13-of-23 shooting, but the visitors sorely missed All-Star point guard Devin Harris, who suffered a shoulder sprain against the Clippers on Sunday. Harris is expected to undergo an MRI on his shoulder on Thursday.
Keyon Dooling ended with 17 points and six helpers as the Nets fell to 0-4 on their five-road road trip.
Leading by four early in the third quarter, the hosts pulled away with a 10-0 spurt. Jones bookended the run with a layup and a jumper, the latter giving Denver a 64-50 lead with 7 1/2 minutes left in the quarter.
Carter's five three-pointers in the frame kept the Nets within striking distance, but the short-handed club still trailed 83-72 leading to the fourth.
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Linas Kleiza's two-hand slam early in the fourth increased the margin to 92-76, and the lead was never seriously threatened from that point on.
The Nuggets scored 13 straight points at one juncture in the first quarter to aid a 30-20 cushion after 12 minutes of play. Their shots weren't falling nearly as easily in the second and the Nets were within 49-43 at the break.
